Planners present elevated Abercorn plan

Paul Ward first moved to Rio Road about 47 years ago, when Abercorn Street stopped at DeRenne Avenue. Since then, Abercorn has been extended past Rio to Interstate 95, bringing daily bouts of stop-and-go traffic along for the ride.

On Thursday night, Ward and other residents at the Armstrong Center got to see the next potential step in Abercorn’s evolution, which could get vehicles moving again.

Local planners introduced the public to their vision: An elevated expressway that would stand about 35 feet above Abercorn’s median and separate regional and local drivers.

Ward and others said they liked what they saw.

“I think it’s grand,” he said. “Absolutely, the best project they could come up with.”

Officials from the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Commission are promoting the expressway as an alternative to widening the road and impacting businesses there.

The 2.6-mile bypass would add two lanes in each direction from Rio Road to Holland Drive, where it will link up with the south end of the Truman Parkway.

The footprint of the structure would be 10 feet wide and fit within the 20-foot median along most of the route. Construction impacts are expected to be minimal, since the structure would not encroach on a majority of the existing travel lanes.

Improvements are also being developed for sections farther west on Abercorn up to Gateway Boulevard.

Planners say the improvements, along with the elevated expressway, will make it possible for drivers to take the Truman Parkway from downtown to I-95 without hitting a traffic signal.

The elevated expressway is still in its planning stage. Thursday’s open house was part of an effort to engage the public as planners determine the structure’s design and potential impact on businesses, while also looking at possible land uses for the corridor. Officials are also trying to figure out how to cover the estimated $212 million cost of the project. Making the expressway a toll road is one option being considered.

Steven Smith and his wife, Sandra, who were enthusiastic about the elevated expressway, were not so excited about the prospect of drivers having to pay to use it.

“I pay enough taxes,” Smith said.

Although, the toll could end up costing less than the gas drivers burn in traffic, he said.

ABERCORN PLAN PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL

Project engineers for the Abercorn Extension elevated highway project presented their concept to Savannah City Council members during workshop Thursday.

A short video touted the raised roadway as a faster, cheaper solution to ending gridlock. It also assured that the concept would reduce traffic on the street level, make it easier for pedestrians to cross and would allow for lush landscaping under the elevated road. Because the road would be between 35 to 40 feet tall, it would allow ample room for sunlight, stormwater drainage and growing plants.

The pillars that would support the roadbed were described as “elegant statements” that would be unique to Savannah.

Alderman Tony Thomas, whose district includes the commuter route, pointed out a shortcoming in the concept. It requires 20-foot wide medians from which to base the pillars. Abercorn Extension from Tibet Avenue to Rio Road doesn’t have 20-foot medians, he said.

Michael Adams, the project engineer, replied engineers hadn’t measured the median widths because they “hadn’t gotten to that level of detail yet.”

Thomas also asked whether the $211 million estimated price tag was in current dollars or calculated in costs for 2022. That’s the soonest construction is expected to begin.